SEATTLE (Oil Monster): Uganda has unveiled one of its most significant petroleum discoveries in over ten years, signaling a major step forward in its ambition to become a leading oil-producing nation in sub-Saharan Africa. The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) confirmed the identification of nine promising oil wells within the Kasuruban exploration block, believed to hold substantial commercially recoverable crude deposits.
Initial assessments suggest the block may contain around 600 million barrels of recoverable oil, though officials have not yet released detailed seismic or drilling data supporting the estimate.
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If confirmed, the new find is expected to dramatically boost Uganda’s current proven recoverable reserves, which are estimated at 1.65 billion barrels. Industry experts note that the expanded reserve base will enhance the country’s energy independence and attract further global investment into its upstream sector.
The Kasuruban discovery strengthens the long-term production prospects of the Albertine Rift Basin, where TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and UNOC are already developing two key oil projects scheduled to commence commercial output in the second half of 2026. The latest discovery is seen as a strategic addition that reinforces the basin’s status as one of Africa’s most promising petroleum zones.
UNOC secured the nearly 1,285 sq. km Kasuruban block in 2023 through a production-sharing agreement with the Ugandan government. The company has emphasized that further evaluation and appraisal drilling will determine the commercial feasibility and development timeline.
The discovery is widely expected to accelerate Uganda’s advancement toward becoming a regional oil-powerhouse, while supporting national economic growth and infrastructure expansion.
